Extension homemakers had a great night

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

To the Editor:

On Thursday, October 22 the Putnam County Extension Homemakers' Membership Committee held a "Rock & Roll Movie Night and Sock Hop" in the Community Building at the Putnam County Fairgrounds to raise money for Putnam County Coats for Kids. We also kicked off a fundraising initiative called "Pennies for the Fair" to raise money for the upkeep of the fairgrounds. It took a lot of support from the community to make the event happen and we just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved.

The food was provided largely through generous donations by McDonald's, Dominos Pizza, Kroger, Wal-Mart, Value Market, Klosterman's Bread Company (via Sonic) and the Putnam County Girl's Softball League. We would like to thank Matt and Vanessa Smith, who volunteered to make funnel cakes and the Extension Homemaker Clubs that donated candy to be sold as penny candy to raise money for the fair. The popcorn was courtesy of Treasures on the Square and Headly's Hardware Store.

The entertainment was courtesy of Sound Choice DJ who donated their time and use of their equipment for the sock hop and Matt McClaine, who donated his time and Greencastle Christian Church for use of equipment to provide sound for the movie. After all what is an Elvis movie without sound?

We would also like to thank the Putnam County Extension Clubs who donated items for the silent auction that was part of our "Pennies for the Fair" initiative. There were several items donated by Dorothy Wells and Peggy McFarland of Family Friends and Fun, both women are also on the membership committee, as well as donations from The Country Bak'n Bunch, Mary Alice Harcourt and the Merry J's.

The other thing that we did was a raffle to raise money for Coats for Kids. When we started looking for donations we weren't sure what kind of response we would get, given the current economy, so imagine our excitement when we received donations from 31 different businesses. Here in Putnam County there was Walden Inn, The Jackson Family Restaurant, Casa Grande, McDonald's, Monical's Pizza, Peebles, The Craftmakers 2 Craft Shop, Mason's Jewelers, Creative Touch Salon, Martin's Emporium, Putnam Inn, Car Quest, Ashley Square Cinema, Bright Futures, Eitel's Flowers & Gifts, Almost Home, Sonic, Ambler Hill Florist, Pizza Hut, Papa Murphy's Take 'n' Bake Pizza, Family Video, York Automotive, Chicago's Pizza, Aaron's and the Family Friends & Fun Extension Homemakers club. In Terre Haute we received donations from TGI Fridays, the Boot City Opry and Universi-tees. In Avon and Plainfield we received donations from Texas Roadhouse, Rave Motion Pictures, Half-Price Books and Red Robin.

When all was said and done all together we raised over $400 for Coats for Kids and over $160 for "Pennies for the Fair." We also collected 13 coats either that night at the door or beforehand at Ambler Hill Florist who generously volunteered to be a drop off point.

We want to thank everyone who came out and joined us that night and everyone who made it possible through the generosity of your donations.

We had a great time and hope you did too.

Jessie McFarland for the Putnam County Extension Homemakers Membership Committee